Biology

Physiology

Rattata is a small, quadruped, but unspecialized rodent. Its most notable feature is its large teeth. Like most rodents, their teeth grow continuously throughout their lives, and must be constantly worn down by gnawing. It has long whiskers and a long, slightly curled tail. Rattata has purple fur on its back, and cream-colored fur on its stomach. This coloration (dark on top, light on bottom) is a common protective mechanism for many small animals.

Gender differences

Females have shorter whiskers and a lighter fur color.

Special abilities

Rattata have very basic survival needs, permitting them to thrive in nearly any environment. Because they reproduce so quickly, a pair of Rattata can quickly colonize an area. Rattata are also very quick.

Behavior

Rattata have a fast metabolism. As a result, it spends most of its fast-paced life looking for food. Thanks to their sharp fangs, they are able to eat nearly anything. However, because they constantly need to chew on hard material to keep their teeth at a manageable length, it is hard to tell if they are actually eating something, or merely gnawing on it. When they are threatened, Rattata can deliver a powerful bite. Cautious to the extreme, its hardy vitality lets it live in any kind of environment. They are a common sight in many places, and can become a nuisance due to their rapid reproductive rate. It is said that for every one Rattata, forty other are hidden somewhere. Most young Trainers will train Rattata due to their easy accessibility.

Rattata and Raticate share the same species name with Pikachu, Raichu, Sandshrew, and Sandslash. They are all known as Mouse Pokémon, though Rattata and Raticate have also been called Rat Pokémon in Generations I and II. Rattata and Raticate's species name was changed to 'Mouse' in Generation III onwards.

The fur around Rattata's mouth is colored white in its original artwork and its in-game sprites up until Generation IV (although its artwork for FireRed and LeafGreen does show this fur as being peach-colored).

Rattata and its evolution comprise the first two-stage evolutionary family in National Pokédex order.